Henry J. Beeker ^{2 3 4}

   FamilySearch ID: LHRF-HSK.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Court: Philip's 4 minor sons were appointed to 4 guardian households via apprentice bonds issued by the Davie County court. Henry John was bonded to C. W. Bessant until age 21. On 26 Feb 1849 in , Davie, NC. ⁶ Children following the death of their parents, or when parents could no longer provide for them, were bonded by the county court to serve as apprentices for the new families that would care for them. The following Beekers were given apprentice bonds in Davie County, North Carolina:

26 February 1849. Philip Beeker bound to John C. Foard until the age of 2l years.
To learn: Farming, Teach him to read and write and cipher to the rule of three.
Given at freedom: Twenty-five dollars in cash and a freedom suit, in all other respects to comply with the Act of Assembly.
Signed: A. G. Carter (Chairman of Court), John C. Foard
Witness: H. R. Austin

26 February 1849. George Beeker bound to Thomas J. Deadmon until the age of 2l years.
To learn: Farming, to learn to read and write and cipher to the rule of three.
Given at freedom: A horse, saddle and bridle worth sixty dollars, a freedom suit, and in other respects comply with the Act of Assembly.
Signed: A. G. Carter (Chairman of Court), Thos J. Deadmon
Witness: H. R. Austin

26 February 1849. Henry J. Beeker bound to C. W. Bessant until the age of 2l years.
To learn: Shoe and Boot making, learn to read and write and cipher to the rule of three inclusive.
Given at freedom: A freedom suit, a set of shoe makers tools worth ten dollars and in all other matters comply with the Act of Assembly.
Signed: A. G. Carter (Chairman of Court), C. W. Bessent
Witness: H. R. Austin

26 February 1849. Solomon Beeker bound to George Deadmon until the age of 2l years.
To learn: Tanning, learn to read and write and cipher to the single rule of three inclusive.
Given at freedom: A freedom suit, a horse, saddle, and bridle worth $50 and in all other respects comply with the Act of Assembly.
Signed: A. G. Carter (Chairman of Court), George Dedmon
Witness: H. R. Austin.

2. Census in 1850 in , Davie, NC. ⁷ The 1850 census recorded Henry J. Beaker, 14, living in the household of Baptist clergyman Carlton W. Bessant, 35, and his wife Rebecca, 35; and their children Daniel, 6; Thomas, 4; and Sarah, 1. Also in the household is John N. Click, farmer, 22. Henry was born in Davidson County, and the others in Davie County.

3. Probate: After father Philip's death his 7 children petitioned the court to sell his land, in 1853, in , Davidson, NC. ^{3 3} State of North Carolina
Davidson County

In Equity
To Fall Term 1853

To The Hon. The Judges of the court of Equity of Davidson county.

This petition of John C. Beeker, Philip S. Beeker of full age, and Henry J. Beeker, Barbara M. Beeker, George W. Beeker, Solomon Beeker & Mary M. Beeker infants who sues by their next friend & brother John C. Beeker.

Hereby petitioning
Show unto your honor your petitions aforesaid that in the year 1838 Henry Beeker made a deed of conveyance in fee simple of the lands below described to the "bodily heirs of Philip Beeker" decd, that your peititioning John C. Beeker, Philip S. Beeker who are of full age, and Henry J. Beeker, Barbara M. Beeker, George W. Beeker, Solomon Beeker & Mary M. Beeker who are infants, are the only children & bodily heirs of said Philip Beeker decd and are tenants in the said land lying in the county aforesaid on the waters of Lick Creek adjoining the lands of Philip Snider, Wesley Snider, James Williams & Marshall Nance containing two hundred acres more or less.
Your petitioners would further show to your honor that, on account of the great inequality of the value of the various parts of said land, the same could not with any sort of equality justice be divided among your petitioners, and that the land is becoming from year to year of less value and the improvements getting out of repair so that it cannot be sorted out to any advantages to your petitioners, and that a sale of the same would essentially immaterally promote the interests of all the parties concerned and especially said infant petitioners.
Lo the end therefore that your petitioners may be relieved in the premises, may it prove your Honor to grant an order & decree of sale of said lands upon such terms and conditions as to your Honor may seem just and proper and all such further orders as the nature of the case may require
And as induly bound will ever pray.

D. A. Starbuck
Sol for Petitioners.

4. Henry witnessed the probate of Philip Beeker in 1854 in , Davidson, NC. ^{3 3} John C. Beeker Ex Parte

In Equity
Spring Term 1854

To the Honorable the Judge of the Court of Equity in and forsaid County.

In obedience to a decree of this Court of Equity made at the Fall Term 1853 -- after due advertisement I proceeded to sell the lands mentioned in the petition, at public sale on a credit of twelve months, on the the premises, when William Cox became the purchasor, at the sum of five hundred and seventy five dollars and fifty centers - which I report to be a fair price; all of which is respectfully submitted - at office April 4th 1854.

James A. Long, C M C.

5. Census in 1870 in Jerusalem, Davie, NC. ⁸ The 1870 census recorded in Jerusalem Township Henry Beker, farmer, 39, living with wife Eliza, 26; Willilam, 5; and Henry, 2. Also in the home is a domestic servant, EllenVeach, 17; and a farm laborer, Ellis William, 20. All were born in North Carolina. Henry's real estate is valued at $1000 and personal estate $200. The post office is Fulton.

6. Census in 1860 in Liberty District, Davie, NC. ⁹ The 1860 census recorded H. Beeker, manufacturer, 23, living in the household of C. W. Besserat, clergy, 45; his wife Rebecca, 45; their sons Daniel D., laborer, 16; Thomas M., 14; and their daughter Sarah A., 11. Also in the household is A. W. Wiseman, physician, 25; Henry Beck, manufactruer 27, and G. Cody, laborer, 17. Everyone was born in North Carolina.

7. Census in 1880 in Jerusalem, Davie, NC. ¹⁰ The 1880 census recorded Heny J. Beeker, farmer, 45, living with wife Eliza J., 32; William A., 13; Joseph S., 12; and Jessie E. B., 7. Everyone and their parents were born in North Carolina.

8. Census in 1900 in Jerusalem, Davie, NC. ¹¹ The 1900 census recorded owning a home: Henry Beeker, farmer, 65, born Aug 1835, living with wife Eliza Jane, 58, Nov 1842; sons Wm. A., merchant farmer, 34, Jul 1866; and Squire J., minister, 31, Mar 1869; and daughter Jesse, school teacher, 26, Mar 1874. Also in the home is daughter-in-law Nannie H. Beeker, 27, May 1873 (Wm.'s wife); and three black servants Ann Smith, 13, Feb 1887; Hume Smith, farm laborer, 14, Jan 1886; and David Noble, farm laborer, 18, Mar 1882.

9. Obituary: The Davie Record: H. J. Beeker Dead on 20 Jun 1900 in Mocksville, Davie, NC. ¹² Mr. Henry J. Beecker died at his home near Jerusalem on the 8th inst. at the age of 64 years 10 months and 20 days. He had meningitis and was at the point of death for about 3 months, suffering intensely at times, and in it all, his christian faith and fortitude never wavered. He was a true man. Few like him ever lived. Not brilliant, yet his life was a distinguished success. A poor bound boy, he won the respect and confidence of all who new him, endowed with character and courage, without a penny, he acquired a competence for himself and family, educating al lhis children, one a graduate of Wake Forest collge, and a promising young Baptist minister. He left them in comfortable circumstances. He completely and roundly filled every relation of life, husband, father, friend, soldier and citizen. Rather than inflict a wrong, he would suffer wrong, never, in his long life, having had a lawsuit or dispute with his neighbor. Modest and retiring in disposition, but brave and courageous in duty. He leaves bheind him a shining record and a distinguished example for the instruction and emulation of those who come after him.

10. Obituary: Union Republican: Died. Near Jersusalem, Davie county, June 8th, Mr. H. J. Beeker, aged 64 years, 10 months and 20 days. On 21 Jun 1900 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth, NC. ⁵

Henry married Eliza Jane Daniel, daughter of Rev. Squire Anderson Daniel and Susan Emily Veach, on 15 Aug 1865 in , Davie, NC.¹ (Eliza Jane Daniel was born on 27 Nov 1841 in , Davie, NC,^{13 14} died on 18 Sep 1914 in Jerusalem, Davie, NC ^{13 14 15 16} and was buried on 19 Sep 1914 in Mocksville: Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery, Davie, NC ^{13 14 16}.)